News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-04-07
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
March 20, 1887. I

Ae 4aSI IuS ISSlllSIG uhS CoLlplSGSN
what he has called the most difficult
task yet encountered by him, namely,
the construction of the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
There was considerable disappoint-
ment among the Democrats that the
name of Republican should head the
list for the longest term and that Col.
Morrison should be given the second
place. 1t would have been hard, how
ever, perhaps impossible, to find a jur-
ist whose knowledge of railroad law
surpasses Judge Cooley's. He has
been counsel for some of the leading
companies. and on the bench always
refused to be moved by popular clamor
against the carrying corporation at a
time when more flexible magistrates
were bending more or less to the ex-
pressed prejudices of the voting mas
ses.
The five lawyers of which the Com
mission consists represent the States Of
Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ala
bama and Vermont. Three of them
are Democrats as a matter of course
namely, Messrs. Morrison, Bragg
and Schoonmaker, while Judge Cool
ey and Mr.. Walker made the Repub-
lican minority. The latter studied law
in the office of Senator Edmunds of
Vermont, and is endorsed by him as a
man of extraordinary ability, fine
scholar, of literary attachments, indus
trious. honest and strong in every re-
spect.
Representative Heard of Missouri,
commenting upon the commission, re-
marked that the fact that Senator Ed
munds had recommended one of the
members was an element.of strength /;
''for," continued he, ''the Senator
would not take the responsibility of
such ali appointment unless he had the
right man for the place. ''When
Senator Edmunds was questioned as
to his action in the matter, lie is quot
ed as saying 81 do not recommend
anybody. l sometimes give testi-
mony as to the fitness of people for
public duties, but don't recommend.
1t is thought the new Commission
will organize in this city about the
middle of next week. Its members
are personally unknown to each other.
Four of them were at their homes
when their appointments were an
nounced, Mr.. Morrison being the
only one in Washington. Two of
them were taken wholly by surprise
and will have to wind up their affairs.
The law goes into effect however by
the 4th of April, and the commission
can make no delay in preparation for
business.
Practically the Capital will have
new Government Department. The
effect of the law upon this city will be
more pronounced than that Of any
that has been enacted in recent years.
A large and important bureau will
have to be rapidly organized. Thous-
ands of communications, queries, COM
plants, ect., are ready to pour in on
the commission whenever it is ready
to receive them. A Gent1eman VIII
qualified 10 know recently told the
President that a houseful of such
documents was ready for mailing.
Besides adding another extensive
bureau to the city of Federal offices,
the law will bring to Washington L.
gal and other representatives of al
most every railroad in the United
States, and thousands of persons in
terested in questions brought before
the commission.
Secretary Lamar is called upon to
furnish suitable accommodations, i'm
mediately, for the Commission. There
will be a sum of about $4,000 to be
expended for clerical and official
force which is TO be expended in such
manner, at such rates and for such
duties as the Commission sees fit but
subject in every case to the approval
of the Secretary of the Interior.
The railroad men, the producers
and consumers, the shippers and traye-
lers are all ready and waiting to make
life 5urdensome to the new commits
sioners, and contribute to the activity
of the new opening season in Wash
ington. With the maintenance of an
other large bureau, and the keeping
of small army Of lawyers and rail-
road men, aggrieved shippers, ect.,
in the city, there is every prospect
that the coming summer will be a
more active one here than we have
had for many years.